[1] ˻Some people use scales that don’t weigh things properly. They use those scales to cheat people.˼ The Lord hates those false scales. But accurate scales please the Lord.
[2] People that are proud and boast will become unimportant. But people who are humble will also become wise.
[3] Good, honest people are guided by honesty. But evil people destroy themselves when they cheat other people.
[4] On the day God judges people, money is worth nothing. But goodness will save people from death.
[5] If a good person is honest, then his life will be easy. But an evil person is destroyed by the bad things he does.
[6] Goodness saves the honest person. But evil people are trapped by the bad things they want.
[7] After an evil man dies, there is no hope for him. Everything he hoped for is gone—all of it is worth nothing.
[8] A good person will escape trouble, and that trouble will happen to some evil person.
[9] An evil person can hurt other people by the things he says. But good people are protected by their wisdom.
[10] When good people are successful, all the city is happy. When evil people are destroyed, people shout with joy.
[11] A city becomes great when the honest people living there give it their blessing. But the things an evil person says can destroy a city.
[12] A person without good sense says bad things about his neighbors. But a wise man knows when to be quiet.
[13] Any person who tells secrets about other people can’t be trusted. But a person that can be trusted does not spread gossip.
[14] A nation with weak leaders will fall. But many good advisers will make that nation safe.
[15] If you promise to pay another person’s debt, then you will be sorry. You will be safe if you refuse to make those deals.
[16] A kind, gentle woman gains respect. Pushy men gain only money.
[17] A kind man will profit. But a mean man will cause trouble for himself.
[18] An evil man cheats people and takes their money. But a person that is fair and does right will get the real reward.
[19] Truly, goodness brings life. But evil people chase after evil and find death.
[20] The Lord hates people that love to do evil. But he is happy with people that try to do right.
[21] It is true that evil people will surely be punished. And good people will be made free.
[22] If a woman is beautiful but foolish, it is the same as a beautiful gold ring in a pig’s nose.
[23] When good people get what they want, it brings more good. But when evil people get what they want, it brings only trouble.
[24] If a person gives freely, then he will gain even more. But if a person refuses to give, then he will become poor.
[25] A person who gives freely will profit. If you help others, then you will gain more for yourself.
[26] People become angry at a greedy man who refuses to sell his grain. But they are happy with a man who sells his grain to feed other people.
[27] People respect a person who tries to do good. But a person who does evil gets nothing but trouble.
[28] The person who trusts in his riches will fall like a dead leaf. But the good person will grow like a new green leaf.
[29] If a person causes trouble for his family, then he will gain nothing. And in the end, the foolish person will be forced to serve the wise person.
[30] The things a good man does are like the Tree of Life. A wise man gives new life to people.
[31] If good people are rewarded on earth, then surely evil people will also get what they deserve.